Kilifi man handed 30-year sentence for defiling 16-year old

In a recent court hearing, a 32-year-old man from Kilifi has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the crime of defiling a 16-year-old girl. The accused, Godfrey Memba, was found guilty of violating the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006 and the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act No. 8 of 2010. According to the prosecution, Memba engaged in a scheme of grooming, abduction, and sexual exploitation of the minor between 12th May 2025 and 4th May 2025.

The offense took place after Memba met the victim at New Life Church in Mavueni, where he seduced and groomed her. He then persuaded her to run away from home with his two young children, after making sure her grandmother was away. The girl's family reported her missing at Chasimba Police Station, leading to her rescue along with her children.

The court heard that Memba transported the girl and the children from Mavueni to Mombasa, where he harbored and cohabited with her, repeatedly engaging her in sexual exploitation. The victim's father received extortionist text messages demanding money for the girl's return, which were traced back to Memba's phone. The trial court found Memba guilty beyond reasonable doubt, citing the age of the victim and the aggravated nature of the offense. Memba was granted 14 days to appeal the conviction and sentence.